Over last weekend, Fremont celebrated its Festivus, and the fun in shopping and exploring the Center of the Universe! At a variety of events, and through many diverse activities, Fremonsters were able to learn more about this community and what it has to offer – even in the depths of winter cold and, unfortunately on Sunday, rainy ick.
Thanks to HomeStreet Bank and the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, our overall sponsors, Fremont Festivus offered everyone, of every age and interest, an opportunity to mark the season – for FREE!! Sponsors also included Anytime Fitness Fremont & Queen Anne, Fremont Dock Company and 3400 Properties.
Thanks to their help, on Friday afternoon we made merry with glorious music, both classic carols and clever originals, by Seatown Sound. Thanks to their partnership with Fremont Festivus, the a ‘capella group has written their own version of the Chicken Dance, for the dance around the Festivus pole. It was a real treat, that blended well with the treats provided by Skinny Dipped Almonds and coffee from Starbucks – and mandarins handed out by Fremont’s Santa.
Thanks also to Royal Grinders and Fremont Dock Co for helping with the lights, and to American Music for making the event sound so good! Fremont Health Club got everyone warmed up, before we flipped the switch to light up the night – and a 16’ statue of Lenin – before dispersing to attend the special-edition Fremont First Friday Art Walk!
On Saturday, the first-ever Fremont Music Festival rocked the Fremont Mischief Distillery. Thank you so much to the amazing folk at Mischief for hosting this free presentation of impressive talents from around our area! And, again, to American Music for making it all sound so very, very good!!
The bands were fantastic:
- Los Buhos gave us world folk music, with a big dollop of humor
- 2 Libras’ electro-synth sounds weaved a spell over the audience
- The Great American Trainwreck blew listeners away with a spectacular sound
- Villain Plays The Victim woke everyone, and brought incredibly energized rock to the venue
- Ian Prebo, who thankfully stepped in to the line-up at the last minute, brought wistful and sincere original tunes to round out an already impressive day of music
- The Seattle School of Rock House Band affirmed everyone’s faith in the future generation, raised the bar for experienced musicians in the audience and delivered very well their classic rock and Christmas tunes
- Plus, VAM Studios gave a great presentation of tap, swing and percussion dance, also showcasing tremendous emerging talents
Thank you also to the Fremont Sunday Market folks, especially for being out on a truly icky day! All of Fremont’s vendors and shopkeepers deserve a great word of gratitude for playing along with the Fremont Festivus activities. Especially those who offered special discounts, such as:
- Verve Bowls
- Just Poke
- Olympic Jewelry
- Red Star Taco Bar
- Fremont Health Club
- Show Pony Boutique
- Ester’s Enoteca
- Fremont Players & Fremont Philharmonic Orchestra ‘Puss In Boots’ at Hale’s Palladium
Thanks go also to those businesses (and one non-profit) who participated in the Roamin’ Holiday Bazaar this year – Anytime Fitness, Bellefleur, B. Fuller’s Mortar & Pestle, Daybreak Records, DesteeNation Shirt Company, El Camino, Flow Fitness Fremont, Frame-Up Studios, Fremont Vintage Mall, Oohla’s Salon, Outsider Comics and Geek Boutique, Peace Love & Happiness Club, Pecado Bueno, Portage Bay Goods, Seattle Public Library Fremont Branch, Sfingiday, Show Pony, The Sweet Spot, The Uncommon Cottage, Wish Fremont Boutique, Wright Bros Cycle Works, and Shawn O’Donnell’s American Grill & Irish Pub.
We were so grateful for partnerships that sprung up during the planning of Fremont Festivus, including the one with the organizers of the Alterna-Steam SteamCrawl: A Steampunk Holiday Affair, who instilled a sense of steampunk in several shops and sites around the neighborhood. Finally, thank you to Rodman Miller, for bringing his art, and Santa, to Fremont Festivus!
We think this was the best Fremont Festivus ever, but we also see room for improvement for 2019 (Fremont Festivus will be December 6th, 7th & 8th, so mark your calendar!) If you have some suggestion, or addition you want to contribute, please contact Fremont Festivus producer, Adrian Laney, at aussie@box2219.temp.domains
And, Happy Holidays everyone!!